The issue of air pollution is constantly in the news. And rightly so. 7 million people die every year from exposure to polluted air[1]. And in many UK cities, safe limits of harmful particulates and oxides of nitrogen are regularly breached[2]. Particulates (or PMs) are tiny solids that float in the air and are classified by their size. PM2.5, which are extremely tiny, are one of the biggest threats to human health and are classified as group one carcinogens[3]. Surprisingly road transport only contributes 12% to PM2.5 levels[4]. The biggest contributor comes from domestic open fires and solid fuel stoves that burn wood and coal, which contribute a staggering 38% to UK air pollution[5]. Most people don’t realise that a wood burning stove emits more particulates per hour than a diesel truck[6]. The government’s Clean Air Strategy will require people use so-called safe wood burners from 2023, however there is no way to make wood burners non-polluting[7]. No matter what solid fuel you burn, you’re creating particulates, which will fill your home with air pollution[7]. And the World Health Organisation state there is no safe level of particulates. With efficient central heating now available, there’s no need for households to use open fires or solid fuel stoves in urban areas. For those who do, simply reducing their use can help clean the air for everyone.
2.https://friendsoftheearth.uk/clean-air/results
3.https://www.iarc.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/AirPollutionandCancer161.pdf
5.https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/6.3091_DEFRA_AirQualityGuide_9web_0.pdf
6.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46823440
7.https://grantham.sheffield.ac.uk/air-pollution-in-sheffield/
